We are landing in Juneau, Sitka, Ketch. we want to see Puffins and Otters. I get seasick, so can anyone tell me if they had this problem on their excursion?
Murry: Do you do excursions in Sitka? I love puffins and would like to take a trip to see them. I signed up on HAL sea otter excursion thus far. Is one more likely to see them during certain months of the year?
I have river otters (land otters) living in and under my boathouse... they poo on everything, but they're fun to watch.
We saw sea otters (the cute ones with the shells perched on their chest that you're probably thinking of) just south of the Wrangell Narrows on our bear hunt last week... Oh, wait... you're cruising. Probably won't get to enjoy Sumner Straits or the Narrows. Bummer.
Plenty of Otters and Puffins in Sitka. Of the ports mentioned, that's the best bet. I wouldn't say one month is any better than the others, but you can maximize your odds by getting on the smallest boat you can tolerate. The big ships and Allen Marine tour cats just can't get you in close enough to the rocks offshore to get good views of puffins. Charter a small boat, tell them what you want to see, and they'll make it happen if at all possible.
(Be sure to watch for murreletts too... large flocks of the Marbled and Kittletz's varieties were all over Sitka harbors this weekend. - I know... I spelled that WAY wrong!)
Happy Alaska Travels!
-Case
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If anyone wants advice from a life-long Alaskan resident, please don't hesitate to ask.
Case, since you live in AK, can you recommend any small boat tour co.s?
Fellow Cmates any reports?
Honestly, the time I spend in Sitka is almost always on my boat, so I've not experienced any of the tours that are offered with other charter companies. I've heard good reports about Puffins & Whales - Davey Lubin's company, and I've seen his boat, the Esther G. Nice looking boat, rates high with the USCG for safety, and always gets good reviews from their guests.
In Juneau, there's a list almost too long to mention here of great charter boats and captains to choose from, so if you're looking for a recommendation in MY home town, I'd be happy to help.
Happy Alaska Travels!
-Case
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The only way to keep everyone happy is to delete my signature completely.
If anyone wants advice from a life-long Alaskan resident, please don't hesitate to ask.
I just came back from Alaska and took a sea otter tour and saw tons of otters and whales, seals and eagles. The tour guide said the otters are out on a small island that the tours from the ships don't go to because of the distance. She might have been just saying that but the boat excursion was fantastic! We also went to the raptor center which was fun.
The description (especially the part about not getting out to the outer island for puffins) sounds like an Allen Marine tour... these are the big double-decker catamarans that accommodate you and 150 of your closest friends on a low-cost tour. From Sitka, most puffins are sighted on/near St. Lazaria Island, which is a stretch for the larger boats that are really just doing harbor tours.
Not that it does any mainline cruisers any good, but we saw more otters and puffins than I've ever noticed this weekend near Elfin Cove. The Cruise West guests were sure enjoying it...
-Case
__________________
The only way to keep everyone happy is to delete my signature completely.
If anyone wants advice from a life-long Alaskan resident, please don't hesitate to ask.
Yes, they said the puffins were on/near St. Lazaria Island. And you are correct, it was a double decker, a tour arranged by HAL. If I was staying in Sitka for any length of time, I arrange for a smaller boat to take me sight seeing. And, next year when we return, via cruise ship, I will try and make arrangements on my own.
Puffins and Otters
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